Queer but Language: A Sociolinguistic Study of Farsi

Abstract

In this paper we have tried to settle whether Farsi, a secret code language spoken by the hijras, is a language or not. Hijras are a marginalized community that lives in sequestered groups in many cities of India and Pakistan. The present study, by challenging the assertions of Hall, Nagar and Munawar et al., is based on the assumption that hijras’ Farsi is more than a mere code or mixture, and explores, identifies and describes its nature and status as a language. Using ethnographic research methods, the data for the present study has been collected from the spoken language of hijras settled in D. G. Khan and Rawalpindi, two Pakistani urban areas. By employing Bell’s seven point criteria for language analysis, data for the present study has been analysed. Linguistically, Farsi contains its own vocabulary and shows various syntactical and morphological differences from the other ‘mainstream’ languages. Sociolinguistic analysis shows that Farsi is as good a language as any other. However, the number of its lexical items is small which is perhaps because of its limited and private usage. Key terms: Farsi, hijras, queer, sociolinguistics.

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